OIWC Announces Winners of Bike Industry Leadership Awards

OIWC announced the 2009 winners of the bike industry’s Pioneering Woman and First Ascent Awards. Georgena Terry, Founder of Terry Precision Cycling, will be presented the Pioneering Woman Award. Kaitlyn Gang, Marketing, Communications and PR Manager for Advanced Sports Inc., will receive the First Ascent Award. Nominations were submitted by industry peers and the winner was selected by the OIWC Board of Directors.

The Pioneering Woman Award recognizes a woman with a commitment to mentoring female colleagues, which exemplifies the OIWC’s mission to equip, educate and support women in the outdoor industries.

Bicycle Retailer and Industry News Editor Megan Tompkins, who nominated Terry, said, “Georgena founded Terry Bicycles and is a pioneer in creating women's products, long before women's-specific products was a trend. She has been an innovator and an inspiration.”

The First Ascent Award complements the Pioneering Woman Award by recognizing a junior level female with a notable commitment to leadership within the bike industry. This award presents a platform for the OIWC to nurture and support the industry’s next female leaders.

In one of six nominations submitted for Kaitlyn Gang of Advanced Sports Inc., Luke Elrath, Product Manager for Transportation and Utility Bikes, Advanced Sports Inc. said, “Kaitlyn is the glue that holds Advanced Sports together. From writing marketing copy to planning our trade show booths and international sales meetings, she does it all. Her general organizational acumen sets her in a class by herself.”

The award presentation and combined networking event will take place at the OIWC Interbike Gathering on September 24th, 2009 in the Sands Room #205/206 from 5:30pm-7:30pm.